Water Conservation
The City of Cedar Hills actively promotes water conservation. We encourage our residents to learn all they can about this important topic. Read information on the Utah Division of Water Resources Website about watering, mowing, and fertilizing your lawn specific to North-Central Utah. Generally, one irrigation is equal to 0.5 inches of applied water, which is roughly equal to 20 minutes per station with pop-up spray heads and 40 minutes per station with impact rotor sprinklers.
It is well known that Utah has experienced severe drought conditions over the past several years. Despite improved snow pack this year our reservoirs are still well below capacity. Historically, the Cedar Hills area uses considerably more water per capita than recommended. Conserving water is important as we move into the spring and summer months.
In an effort to lead out on conservation, the City is implementing several measures to help cut back our water use:
1) Replace grass in roundabouts and planters with hardscape and low-water localscapes.
2) Shorten watering season by 21 days, from April 20-September 30.
3) Begin installation of residential pressurized irrigation meters.
4) Allow for more drought tolerant landscape design around commercial buildings and park strips.
5) Continue rotating odd/even watering days.
We need everyone’s help to stretch our limited water resources! Even small changes can make a big difference. Please join us by finding ways to reduce your personal water use.
For conservation tips visit SlowTheFlow.org
Rebate Offered by Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD) in Orem
CUWCD offers a $100 rebate on the purchase of an EPA WaterSense® labeled smart controller, which helps reduce water waste by using local weather and landscape conditions to apply water to landscapes only when needed. CUWCD believes that appropriate equipment can make a difference in landscape watering efficiency, if it is installed and then used correctly. Homeowners within the District who will take the necessary steps to purchase and use equipment that has been shown to reduce water use are eligible for assistance through rebates and small grants. Visit rebates.cuwcd.com for downloadable forms and a list of eligible products. A smart controller can only be as smart as the system it’s connected to, and CUWCD encourages you to regularly monitor and properly maintain your sprinkler system. Click here for more information about Cedar Hills' smart irrigation controller policy.
The city welcomes your questions regarding the pressurized irrigation system and water conservation.
Pressurized Irrigation System Filters
If you are experiencing low water pressure with your pressurized irrigation connection, the filters may be clogged and need cleaning. Each connection should include a filter, which would have been installed at the time that sprinklers were attached to the city-wide system. Be sure to check both the filter and the sprinkler head filter. The filter should be cleaned out monthly and the sprinkler head filters at least every other month. If you do not have a filter, we suggest installing one to avoid your sprinkler system from getting clogged. The irrigation water is not filtered within the city-wide system.
Unfortunately, free slow-the-flow water checks are no longer offered in Utah County, but the Slow the Flow website is an excellent resource for lawn watering guides specific to northern Utah, indoor and outdoor water use tips, and a place to support water conservation in Utah by taking the H2oath, Utah’s water-wise pledge!
Use Water Wisely
Did you know you may be using more water than you realize? To estimate the total gallons used outside your home per month, use this simple equation: Watering minutes per day (X) Watering days per week (=) Watering minutes per week (/) 60 (=) Watering hours per week (X) 250 (=) Gallons per week. To estimate your average outside usage per month, multiply this answer by four.
Tips to Conserve Outside Secondary Water
Frequently check your irrigation system for leaks.
Use low water-use plants and shrubs.
Adjust irrigation schedules to accommodate seasonal water demands. When there are cooler temperatures and precipitation, suspend your automated sprinkler system until conditions warrant resuming a sensible watering schedule.
Adjust sprinkler so only the lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
Water at night or during the cool morning hours to minimize evaporation.
When you mow the lawn adjust the height of the mower blade to the highest setting or a minimum of four inches. The taller grass makes for greater shade on the roots and helps maintain moisture.
Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs, and plants. There are many plants that thrive in Utah’s conditions. Not only do they help conserve water, they require less maintenance.
If you do have trees and plants that need more water, put a layer of mulch around them to discourage weed growth and help slow evaporation.
Before planting the garden, plan to group plants with similar watering needs together to help avoid over watering and under watering the plants.
Tips to Conserve Tap Water
Take a shorter shower. A typical shower uses 15-30 gallons every five minutes.
Check taps, pipes, and toilets for leaks.
When you wash clothes and dishes, always wash full loads.
It’s tempting to get the hose out to get rid of debris and garbage, but it can waste a lot of water. Use a broom to clean gutters and driveways. The average garden hose has a flow of 17 gallons per minute.
When you need to buy new goods, invest in water-efficient items. Many companies are making water-efficient shower heads, washing machines, toilets, taps, and dishwashers.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. The bathroom faucet can run up to two gallons of water in one minute.
Do not let the hose run while washing your car. Instead, use a bucket or use a hand sprinkler with an on/off lever attached to your hose.
Sweep your sidewalk and driveway rather than hosing it off.
Brown Spot…It must need more water. Or does it?
Did you know that not all brown spots are caused by lack of water? Some spots are actually caused by a grass root-eating bug called bill bug. This bug will eat the root of the grass, causing areas of your lawn to turn brown and look as if it is not receiving enough water. So how does one tell if they have bill bug? Pull a sample from the “dead” grass area; if roots are non-existent and/or they look chewed on, you’ve got bill bug. So before you hose, check for evidence of the bug, because no amount of water is going to bring your beautiful landscaped yard back if the bug is prevalent.
Grass not healthy enough for you?
Try aerating your lawn. Grass, like people, needs oxygen to grow. Regardless of how much water you give your lawn, it will never reach that beautiful lush green color without oxygen. So oxygenate, and start aerating every spring. Not only will this make your lawn more green and beautiful, but it will make it healthier and more durable over time.
Use less water on landscapes in September
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is asking for Utahns to scale back on how frequently lawns are being watered. Lower temperatures in September reduce the need for watering to approximately once per week. Adjust your individual sprinkler system and make it a habit to follow recommended watering requirements based on temperature, precipitation, type of soil, etc. The State is striving to lower per capita water use by at least 25% by 2050. View the KSL News article.